Sir Chris Hoy has said today's procession will be an opportunity to thank the
public and "give them a little wave" as the Olympic and Paralympic heroes
parade through London.

The six-time gold medallist said: "It's an opportunity for the athletes to thank the public. This is not for us it's for them. They have made the atmosphere, in the streets and the pubs. It's our chance to give them a little wave and thank them. My rivals from foreign countries said these were the greatest Games."

He added they were more successful than the widely hailed Sydney games, saying: "We've taken that mantle from the Aussies."

"It's been great," he said. "I'm an optimist and I thought it was going to be great but it was way beyond my expectations. It's been unforgettable."

The first float will include Mo Farah, the Olympic 5,000 and 10,000m winner, followed by heptathlon gold medallist Jessica Ennis.

Mo Farah described returning to London as "very special" and said he thought the Games had changed the country's attitude to sport.

He said: "It means a lot to go back to London, where the Olympics happened, to say thank you to all the people and enjoy that moment.

"The Olympics has never gone as well as this, in any country, and London has definitely changed a lot and hopefully we can cheer people on and get them to join the sports.

"For me growing up as a kid, it was all about football but that's definitely changed. There's a lot more people running and enjoying taking part in different sports.

"It's going to change, it's not just going to be football, it's going to be athletics as well. The Olympics has put good memories in people's heads."

Games makers cheer as they wait for the start of Britain's Olympic and Paralympic parade in central London (Reuters)

Meanwhile Jessica Ennis revealed she is already back in training following her success at the Games.

The Sheffield-born athlete said she had been on holiday in Mauritius but had returned to training yesterday for a "small session".

She added that she was disappointed to see the Games come to and end.

"It's so sad," she said "It's such a sad feeling when the torch goes out".

Britain's sporting heroes will be saluted as a huge precession snakes its way through the streets of London in front of tens of thousands of adoring fans.

Olympic and Paralympic heroes will be celebrated at the end of a sparkling summer of British sport as London streets are brought to a standstill for The Greatest Team Parade.

Athletes will travel on 21 open-top floats, grouped in alphabetical order by their sport. The stars of the Olympics' Super Saturday will be on the first three floats.

Paralympians Hannah Cockcroft, Jody Cundy, Sophie Christiansen and Jonnie Peacock will also take part in the parade.

London mayor Boris Johnson said: "This summer our great city has hosted an unbelievable spectacle of sport and thousands will want to celebrate the achievements of our athletes by coming to the parade.

Farah, who won gold medals in both the 5,000 and 10,000m, said he had had the "perfect" Olympics and said he was "very excited" about today's parade.

He told ITV's Daybreak: "I could never have imagined it would be like that. As an athlete you dream of becoming an Olympic champion, but not in front of a home crowd, and also twice doing it.

"It should be good. There's a lot of people out there, you know [Sir] Chris Hoy and the rest of the guys, Bradley Wiggins.

"I'm looking forward to it, mixing with everyone and having a good laugh. It's time for us to enjoy it one last time, I guess."

1:30pm Start Mansion House (Disabled viewing)

Crowds expected at the crossroads near Bank tube station. The best views should be near the Mansion House itself. Most roads throughout the parade route will be closed from 11am.

Mo Farah (Picture: GETTY IMAGES)

St Paul's (Disabled viewing)

One of the first points the procession passes by is St Paul's Cathedral. The cathedral grounds have plenty of space but try to stay close to St Paul's Church Yard.

Fleet Street

For those who don't want to stand on the pavement all afternoon, window seats at one of the pubs lining the route are expected to be at a premium.

Royal Courts of Justice

The half way point of the route. Wide streets around St Clement Danes Church should allow for good viewing.

The Strand/ Trafalgar Square (Disabled viewing)

A giant viewing screen near Nelson's Column will show the action as it unfolds, with the parade passing the square from the Strand to the Mall. The parade is expected to arrive about 2.30pm.

Jessica Ennis (Picture: EPA)

The Mall (Ticketed stands)

An invitation – only area will be reserved for 14,000 volunteers, athletes' families and coaches.

Buckingham Palace

The parade is due to arrive about 3.30pm.

Fly-past 3:45pm

A fly-past includes the Red Arrows, RAF Typhoons and a BA plane used to bring the flame to the UK, which will display a "thank you" message on the bottom of its fuselage. They will fly at around 1000 feet.

Laura Trott (Picture: JULIAN SIMMONDS)

A total of 21 floats will transport more than 700 athletes along the two-and-a-half mile route. It will take about 13 mins for all 21 floats to pass any one point along the route.